Ex-Treasurer For Md. Dept. Charged With Embezzlement

Feb. 16--The former treasurer of the Walkersville Volunteer Rescue Co. has been charged with embezzling more than $100,000 from the company over a seven-year period.

Carl Thomas Boltz, 52, of Westminster, sent a letter to the company Aug. 24, 2011, admitting he improperly used department funds for personal use, Chief Topper Cramer said in a news release.

Cramer said officials immediately notified the Frederick County Sheriff's Office, which started an investigation.

Boltz had been either treasurer or assistant treasurer for a period of more than 20 years. He was formally charged on Feb. 12 via a criminal summons with theft over $100,000. According to court records, the thefts took place between January 2004 and last August.

"To say our department is greatly disappointed would be an understatement," Cramer said. "We placed our trust in someone that clearly took advantage of his office for personal gain. We were shocked that someone would violate our department, its members, the public trust and community for which he lives, in an enormous amount of selfishness and greed."

Cramer said Boltz was not an operational member of the company, and the thefts did not affect the medical and rescue services the company provides. He said new accounting measures were put in place after the theft was discovered.

Cramer said some purchases made by Boltz raised the suspicion of company leaders, who scheduled a meeting with Boltz.

"There was some stuff that just didn't look right," Cramer told The Frederick News-Post.

Boltz didn't show up for the meeting, and the letter arrived a short time later, he said.

Cramer said Boltz spent the money on home repairs, furniture, computers and other items.

"We are thankful this investigation is now closed as we continue the day-to-day operation of providing excellent ambulance and rescue service to our citizens in our community and surrounding jurisdictions," Cramer said in the news release. "Our department also looks forward to seeing that Mr. Boltz is prosecuted to the fullest extent possible for which the law will allow to include complete restitution, reimbursement for the funds for which he misused and all expenses associated with this investigation."

Boltz is represented by Susan Puhala, who filed a motion on Jan. 19 asking that evidence seized by investigators be suppressed. The motion claims the evidence was obtained through an illegal search and seizure. Puhala also said in the motion that the charging documents in the case were defective and statements made by Boltz were obtained improperly.

Neither Boltz nor Puhala could be reached for comment Wednesday. An employee at Puhala's law firm said she was out of town on vacation until Monday.

Assistant State's Attorney Shelley McVicker said her office was seeking a plea agreement, but would not comment on the terms of a possible deal or its likelihood of being accepted by Boltz.

A pretrial conference is scheduled for Feb. 27, and a trial date has been set for April 24.

Copyright 2012 - The Frederick News-Post, Md.